Simply because you have one or two small lumps on the palms of the hand does not mean you have Dupuytren contracture, but it is fairly likely since it is one of the most common reasons for that type of finding to occur. If you conduct a brief online web search for ‘lump on palm of the hand” you will learn that nodules and lumps on the palm are almost always Dupuytren contracture.

In the beginning of this problem usually there is a small lump or series of lumps or even pits in the palm of those who have Dupuytren’s disease, and this tissue often has a swirled appearance like the lump was made of melted wax that did not go straight down. A dense cord of tissue may develop as time passes, and this might extend from the palm to one or more fingers, usually the ring and middle fingers and never the index finger. The cords look like tendons when the fingers move and feel like tendons under the skin. However, these cords lay on top of the actual tendons and are just below the skin. It is not uncommon for both hands to have one or more lump on palm of the hand, although the number and pattern does not have to be the same. Sometimes one hand has two or three lumps on the palm, while the other hand has only one; sometimes one hand has different fingers affected than the other hand; when the pattern is the same it is purely by accident.

When the lump on palm of the hand first appears it might be painful, but only slightly; seldom is the pain severe. For this reason Dupuytren contracture is not typically thought of as a painful condition, only one in which hand movement is limited and function is compromised by the continued thickening of the lump on the palm and the cord that extends from it into the finger which is closest.

The most consistent test for Dupuytrens contracture is the inability to completely flatten the involved palm of the hand down on a firm surface. As the nodule and lump on the palm of the hand progresses in size and density it causes the finger to curl more and more into the palm, making it difficult and later impossible to lay the palm flat on a table top. This causes greater difficulty doing simple tasks that are part of daily life:

Wash the hands and face

Go to the bathroom

Use a knife and fork while eating

Button clothing

Wear gloves

Drive a car

Put your hands in a small space like a pocket

Over a period of time it is seen that each lump on palm of the hand will get larger and more problematic; some are faster than others, but all eventually progress to make use of the involved hand more difficult with time. This is why it is said that if a person first gets a lump on palm of the hand while in his 40s it will tend to be a worse problem than someone who first gets his lump on palm of the hand while in his 70s. It is simply because the younger person will live long enough to encounter greater changes in the Dupuytren contracture.

Customer Information

“My right hand is improving faster than the left. Each few weeks my fingers are less stiff … easier to dress and shave. I am so grateful for your help.” J. L. – Minnesota

“You should have seen the look on my hand surgeon’s face when I put my hand flat on his desk. He changed his mind about me needing an operation to cut the cords inside. It is odd he did not even ask what I used to make this kind of change. ” N.T. – Vermont

“It was obvious the large DCI plan started to work after just a few weeks because I gained 5/8 inch of ring finger and 3/8 inch little finger movement. Now 5 months later I can open my hand almost all the way. I cancelled my appointment to see the orthopedic doctor.” E. R. – California

“I used Alt Med for a lot of things over the years, but I never imagined it could help remove the lumps on my palms. After a little more than three months using your products I am at least 50% better than when my Dupuytrens started two years ago. Thanks for the great website.” V. S. – New York

“My right hand is improving faster than the left. Each few weeks my fingers are less stiff … easier to dress and shave. I am so grateful for your help.” J. L. – Minnesota

“This is the first time anything has helped anything has helped my hands since the Dupy started four years ago. I can open my hand farther and my cords are much thinner and softer.” C. P. – Wisconsin

“After 7 weeks of using Dusa Sal, PABA, Neprinol, etc, I can measure improved finger straightening. My lumps are softer and less noticeable, and I can get dressed with less trouble. I can’t wait to show the doctor who told me I would need fasciectomy surgery in 12 to 18 months.” H. E. – Washington

“I postponed a 2nd hand operation after I found the DCI website. Two months of using a medium plan plus acetyl-L-carnitine and my finger is straightening. I can feel the lumps are flatter and more pliable almost like normal skin.” S. S. – Ohio

“What can I say? I have Dupuytrens in both hands (three fingers total) and each one is about ¾ inch farther away from the palm as they were for the last three years. That is a lot of progress in just ten weeks. I will continue using my DCI treatment plan and see just how much recovery I can make.” D. H. – California

“Even the PIP joint in my right ring finger is beginning to straighten out, plus nice softening of the nodules. Everyone is amazed. If this keeps up I won’t need another surgery.” S. J. – Minnesota

“I used Alt Med for a lot of things over the years, but I never imagined it could help remove the lumps on my palms. After a little more than three months using your products I am at least 50% better than when my Dupuytrens started two years ago. Thanks for the great website.” V. S. – New York

“The nodules of both hands began to soften and reduce size three weeks into my Dupuytren plan, and my right little finger began to straighten. This is my 3rd month of self-care and I am nearing the point of totally eliminating all traces. I am very pleased, indeed.” G. F. – England